Now, there are obvious variables in play here, as McKenzie said. Gagner counts $4.8 against the salary cap for this season and the two following it, and if the Oilers retain a portion of that, they'd have to do it in all three. Doing that, you'd think, would mean a larger return for the Oilers — and certainly larger than Clifford, who's an effective-enough bottom-six player.

Gagner, inconsistant as he may be, is more than that — and his contract isn't all that bad, particularly as the cap rises. He certainly should be enough to get Edmonton a quality asset capable of helping them where they need it, especially if they retain salary. If the Oilers trade him, they'd have a hole at second-line center with no easy option to fill it. That'd be OK if they were plugging a hole elsewhere, but if it's Clifford coming back, they wouldn't be.

Gagner would give the Kings what they need; versality and goal-scoring ability, particularly on the power play. Clifford is big. This is a hard one to explain, other than "it's the Oilers."

At bare minimum, it should lead to other general managers calling Craig MacTavish and offering their own versions of Kyle Clifford. Hey, we won't even make you eat salary.